What has become of Asian esports?

It took Asia just two decades to become the epicenter of the global esports scene. As you might guess, it all started before the term “esports” even existed. In the 1990s, the first internet cafes emerged in South Korea. National television also began broadcasting StarCraft matches. Even then, the primary trend was already taking shape: computer games were moving from the realm of entertainment to becoming a factor that was shaping a new mass culture.

Today, South Korea is widely recognized as a pioneer in the esports industry. The Korea e-Sports Association controls all professional leagues in the country, and the most famous players have the same status as pop stars. This means that they are recognized on the streets and invited to talk shows.

Matches attract tens of thousands of spectators and are held in special arenas. The finals of major matches are continuously broadcast on television. For example, the final of the LoL World Championship, held at Munhak Stadium in Incheon, attracted 23,000 spectators, and the number of people watching the broadcast exceeded 100,000. These figures are comparable to those of major sporting events.

The situation is developing just as rapidly in China. In terms of the number of active users, this country is the world’s largest consumer of video games. Chinese corporations invest heavily in leagues and individual teams, and also set the tone for the industry. In 2019, Shanghai hosted one of the largest esports tournaments, The International Dota 2. China is also investing heavily in specialized education, with several provinces offering esports as a separate major in colleges. The program includes courses in analytics, marketing, and gaming psychology.

Mobile esports has undergone significant shifts in Southeast Asia over the past five years. Countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand offer a young, active audience that is focused on mobile gaming and ready to make it phenomenally popular. When the Free Fire World Series final was held in Bangkok in 2023, it was watched by 4 million viewers simultaneously.

As for India, it is developing at its own pace, but demonstrating stable growth. The number of gamers in the country is approaching 500 million. At the same time, approximately 85% of players use mobile devices. There was a short-term decline in the market after PUBG Mobile was banned in 2020; however, it returned under the name BGMI. In 2023, a tournament for this game attracted around 36 million people. There are also large platforms in the country that stream esports matches.

Another distinctive feature of India in the esports sector is the active development of the betting market for tournaments. The growth potential is much higher compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. At the same time, young Indians prefer to use the services of offshore bookmakers, as they offer a wider range of betting options. For example, recently, the choice has increasingly fallen on 1win app India, which can be downloaded to a smartphone and used to place bets on the go.

A similar trend can be observed in neighboring regions, where international platforms are gaining attention alongside local services. In this context, platforms like Mostbet bd are becoming part of the broader digital ecosystem, connecting esports audiences with interactive features such as live betting, match analytics, and user-friendly mobile access. This reflects how esports is no longer just about watching competitions, but also about engaging with them on multiple levels.

As interest in esports grows, digital platform ecosystems are also developing. Modern viewers do not want to be ordinary consumers of content; they want to be active participants. Apps are being developed to track statistics, collect virtual trophies, and facilitate online betting. This is most noticeable in India and Southeast Asia, where smartphones are becoming the primary device for accessing esports. There are also universal apps that combine a large number of functions. The majority of their users are young people who are accustomed to being involved. This is relevant because interest in games such as Valorant, Dota 2, Free Fire, and BGMI has grown significantly.

In this region, esports is no longer a niche hobby. It influences culture, the economy, and even the education system. Large corporations are sponsoring esports teams, and music labels are collaborating with game studios. Esports stadiums are becoming the new norm in China and South Korea, and India already has university teams with official status.

Technology and entertainment are closely intertwined in Asia, and esports and betting have become integral to the lifestyle of the younger generation. The deeper the level of audience engagement, the more sustainable the industry becomes.